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Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:

Trickling noise and burning smell

Dear Fridge Dr., My refrigerator is making a strange trickling noise accompanied by a burning smell. As soon as the noise stops, the smell stops. I am worried that it might catch fire. What would your suggestion be? Thanks,

Fridges almost never start fires, but there are some very rare cases. The trickling is likely water that results from the defrost cycle. On most frost free designs, 4 times a day an element comes on to get rid of the frost that builds up. But getting a burning smell is unusual indeed. Perhaps the main defrost element is burning out or is touching something that it is melting. You should get it looked at.